Channel fastener

ABSTRACT

A channel fastener is described. The channel fastener may secure molding to a vehicle roof ditch and includes a retainer clip and a fastener. The retainer clip includes a body having an opening for receiving a pin, an attachment feature located on an end of the body, a clamp feature located on either side of the opening, and wings extending from the body. The attachment feature secures the molding to the channel fastener. The wings center and align the channel fastener within the roof ditch. The fastener includes an aperture for receiving the pin, wherein the fastener may be slidably secured within the body. The fastener may slide laterally and longitudinally from a center of the retainer clip toward either wall of the roof ditch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/205,247, entitled “Channel Fastener,” filed on Jan. 16, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fasteners and, more particularly, to channel fasteners.

BACKGROUND

Motor vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks, have metal joints and seams that must be sealed to prevent potential seepage of water and other external substances. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a typical sealing method including an overlap joint 100, which may be formed by welding together two panels, such as a roof panel 110 and a side panel 120. The joining of the roof panel 110 and the side panel 120 may create a U-shaped trough or channel 130 having walls 140, 150 located on either side of the channel 130. The channel may commonly be referred to as a roof “ditch” 130 and may be capable of collecting and draining water away from the sides of the vehicle.

Generally, it is necessary to seal the joint 100 to prevent water seepage. It may often, however, be difficult to obtain a good seal, as the joint 100 may be overlapping rather than planar. Therefore, the motor vehicle industry has utilized various types of sealants and systems, such as molding, to fill voids and to block the passage of dirt, moisture, and other undesirable substances. Typically, such sealants may be secured in the ditch 130 with fasteners.

During installation of the molding, and periodically after the molding installation has been completed, the fasteners may experience a variety of complications that often result in defective seals. For example, during installation, fasteners may become misaligned within the ditch 130. In addition, the pins typically used to secure the fasteners in the ditch 130 may not be uniformly aligned in the ditch 130.

Moreover, loads exerted on the fasteners due to temperature fluctuations may cause the panels 110, 120 and molding to expand and contract. Such constant thermal expansion and contraction may cause misalignment of the fasteners and, in some cases, may even bend or break the fasteners. Further, the width of the roof ditch 130 may typically vary along its length, further compromising the effective use of a common fastener. Common fasteners may also not be capable of cross-car positioning to accommodate a variety of pin locations in the ditch 130.

SUMMARY

A channel fastener is described. The channel fastener may secure molding to a vehicle roof ditch. The channel fastener may include a retainer clip and a fastener. The retainer clip may include a body having an opening capable of receiving a pin, an attachment feature located on an end of the body, a clamp feature located on either side of the opening, and a wing extending from the body. The attachment feature may include a post extending outward from the body, a canopy located on an end of the post, and a tension wing located at an opposite end of the post. The attachment feature may secure the molding to the channel fastener. The wings may be capable of centering and aligning the channel fastener within the roof ditch. The fastener may have an aperture for receiving the pin, wherein the fastener may be capable of being slidably secured within the body. The fastener may slide laterally and longitudinally from a center of the retainer clip toward either wall of the roof ditch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects and advantages, together with the operation of the invention, may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a roof ditch.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view a channel fastener.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the channel fastener of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates is a front view of the channel fastener of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the channel fastener of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the channel fastener of FIG. 3 taken along section line 6-6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a close up detailed view of an attachment feature of the channel fastener of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the channel fastener engaged with molding.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a fastener of the channel fastener of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the fastener of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the fastener of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a molding retainer clip of the channel fastener of FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the molding retainer clip of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a channel fastener engaged with a roof ditch.

FIG. 15 illustrates a cross sectional view of the channel fastener engaged with the roof ditch of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the invention. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate a channel fastener 10. The channel fastener 10 may include a molding retainer clip 12 and an insert or fastener 14. The channel fastener 10 may be attached to or otherwise secured to a U-shaped channel or roof ditch 130 (FIGS. 1, 14 and 15). Typically, the channel fastener 10 may be secured to a pin 60 such that molding 160 may then be secured to the channel fastener 10 to seal the joint 100.

The insert or fastener 14 may be of any appropriate type, such as a pushnut fastener 14 (FIGS. 9-11). The fastener 14 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular, square or circular shape. The fastener 14 may be constructed or fabricated out of any appropriate type of material, such as any suitably rigid material including, but not limited to, metal, high-strength polymer material, composite material, or the like. For example, the fastener 14 may be fabricated out of SAE 1050-1065 steel. Any fabrication method may be used to form the fastener 14, such as stamping, cutting, drawing, casting, extrusion, molding, vacuum forming, or the like.

The fastener 14 may generally include a body 16 having an aperture 18 (FIGS. 9 and 10). The body 16 may generally be of a planar configuration. The body 16 may also include at least one flap 20. For example, the body 16 may have two flaps 20 (FIGS. 9-11). The aperture 18 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular, square, circular, I-shaped or the like. The aperture 18 may be located at any appropriate position on the fastener 14, such as at a generally central location, whereby the flaps 20 may be located on either side of the body 16 (FIG. 10).

The flaps 20 may be located at any appropriate position on the body 16, such as along the outer perimeter of the aperture 18, whereby the flaps 20 may be capable of securing the channel fastener 10 to the pin 60 (FIGS. 14 and 15). For example, a first flap 20 may be located opposite that of a second flap 20. The flaps 20 may extend generally upward and away from the body 16 (FIG. 11). The flaps 20 may be angled to allow for easier insertion of the pin 60, while at the same time prevent removal of the channel fastener 10 from the pin 60.

The molding retainer clip 12 may be constructed or fabricated out of any appropriate type of material, such as nylon (FIGS. 12 and 13). The retainer clip 12 may be fabricated out of any material that may sufficient structural integrity to allow the molding retainer clip 12 to be secured in the ditch 130 and to withstand the expansion and contraction of the panels 110, 120 and molding. For example, the molding retainer clip 12 may be fabricated out of a polymer material, a composite material, or the like. Any appropriate fabrication method may be used to form the molding retainer clip 12, such as extrusion, molding, vacuum forming, stamping, cutting, drawing, casting, or the like.

The molding retainer clip 12 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square or rectangular shape. For example, the retainer clip 12 may include a bottom 22 and at least one sidewall, such as four general sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 (FIGS. 12-14). The channel fastener 10 is capable of being positioned in a ditch 130, whereby the bottom 22 may be substantially coplanar with the panels 110, 120 near the joint 100 (FIG. 15).

The sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square or rectangular shape. The sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip 12, such that the sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 may generally form a square or rectangular shape. This generally square or rectangular shape formed by the sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 may be of a similar shape to that of the fastener 14, whereby the fastener 14 may generally fit within the sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

The bottom 22 may include an opening 38 (FIGS. 12 and 13). The opening 38 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as being of a generally square, rectangular or slotted shape. For example, the opening 38 may be shaped and sized to receive or otherwise accommodate the pin 60, whereby the pin 60 may be secured to one or both panels 110, 120 (FIGS. 14 and 15).

The bottom 22 may support the fastener 14 in a substantially coplanar arrangement, such as between the sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 (FIGS. 6 and 15). The aperture 18 in the fastener 14 may be substantially aligned with the opening 38 in the retainer clip 12. In addition, the opening 38 and the aperture 18 may be shaped to allow for longitudinal adjustment of the channel fastener 10 in the ditch 130 about the pin 60 (FIG. 14).

The molding retainer clip 12 may be configured to allow for selective lateral positioning of the fastener 14 relative to the ditch 130. This selective lateral position of the fastener 14 may accommodate a variety of cross-car pin 60 locations, such as where the pins 60 may not be aligned in the center of the ditch 130. Space may be provided between the walls 24, 28 and the fastener 14, such that the fastener 14 may be selectively positioned toward either wall 24, 28 to accommodate the pin 60 location, such as by sliding. Space may also be provided between the walls 26, 30, to accommodate the pin 60 location, such as by sliding.

The retainer 12 may also include at least one leg 32, at least one wing 34 and at least one attachment feature 36 (FIGS. 2, 3, 12 and 13). For example, the retainer clip 12 may include a pair of legs 32. The legs 32 may be constructed or fabricated out of any appropriate material, such as from any suitably rigid material including, but not limited to, metal, high-strength polymer material, composite material, or the like.

The legs 32 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular, triangular, square shape or the like. The legs 32 may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip 12, such as located on either side of the opening 38 (FIGS. 2, 3, 12 and 13). For example, the legs 32 may be located at either end of the retainer clip 12. The legs 32 may extend outwards from a central location of the retainer clip 12.

The retainer clip 12 may include a clamp feature having retention member or tab 42 and a projection 44 (FIG. 6). The tab 42 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally hooked shape (FIGS. 2, 6 and 14). The tab 42 may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip 12, such as towards a first end of the retainer clip 12 and on one side of the opening 38. For example, the tab 42 may be located between the opening 38 and a leg 32.

The projection 44 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally triangular, rectangular, hooked shape or the like (FIGS. 2, 6 and 13). The projection 44 may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip 12, such as towards a second end of the retainer clip 12 and on the opposite side of the opening 38 as the tab 42 (FIG. 6). For example, the projection 44 may be located between the opening 38 and a second leg 32, whereby the opening 38 may be located between the tab 42 and the projection 44.

The fastener 14 may be capable of sliding laterally or cross-car +/− about 2 mm from the center of the molding retainer clip 12 toward either wall 24, 28. The fastener 14 may be slideably secured to the bottom 22 via the retention member or tab 42 and the projection 44. The clamp feature may be made from the same materials as the molding retainer clip 12. Although the clamp feature is described as including a projection 44 and a tab 42, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that alternative features may be employed to facilitate slidingly securing the fastener 14 to the molding retainer clip 12.

The retainer clip 12 may also include at least one structural member 46, such as four structural members 46 (FIGS. 2, 3, 12 and 13). The structural members 46 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular or square shape. The structural members 46 may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip 12. For example, there may be at least one structural member located on either side of the opening 38, whereby the structural members 46 may be located between the opening 38 and the legs 32.

The structural members 46 may add to the structural integrity of the retainer clip 12 or add additional strength or rigidity to the retainer clip 12. The retainer clip 12 may also include structural ribs 40 (FIGS. 2, 3, 12 and 13). The structural ribs 40 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally triangular shape or the like. The retainer clip 12 may have any appropriate number of structural ribs 40. The structural ribs 40 may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip 12, such as being located and expanding between the legs 32 and the structural members 46.

The retainer clip 12 may include a one or more wings 34, such as a pair of wings 34 (FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 12 and 13). The wings 34 may be provided to align the channel fastener 10 within the roof ditch 130 (FIGS. 14 and 15). The wings 34 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular, square or triangular shape. The wings 34 may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip 12, such as being located on either side of the opening 38, whereby the legs 32 may be located on the other two sides. For example, the wings 34 may extend laterally from the molding retainer clip 12, whereby the wings 34 may substantially abut and engage with the walls 140, 150 to prevent misalignment of the channel fastener 10.

The wings 34 may be constructed or fabricated from the same material as the molding retainer clip 12, and the wings 34 may be integrally formed with the molding retainer clip 12. The wings 34 may be flexible so as to withstand the expansion and contraction of the panels 110, 120. While the wings 34 may be shown and described as having a certain configuration and being located at a particular position, it is to be understood that the location and configuration of the wings 34 should not be limited to that shown and disclosed herein and may include alternative features.

The retainer clip 12 may include one or more attachment features 36, such as a pair of attachment features 36 (FIGS. 2-5, 7, 12 and 13). The attachment features 36 may be capable of securing the molding 160 to the channel fastener 10 (FIG. 8). The attachment features 36 may be made out of any appropriate material and by any appropriate process. The attachment features 36 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square, triangular, rectangular, or T-shaped. For example, the attachment features 36 may be generally anchor, tree or canopy shaped.

The attachment features 36 may include a trunk or post 48, a tree top or canopy 50, and at least one tension wing 52 (FIG. 7). The post 48 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular, circular or square shape. The post 48 may be located at any appropriate position on the attachment feature 36, such as at an approximate center of the attachment feature 36. For example, the post 48 may generally extend upwards and approximately perpendicularly to the leg 32 (FIG. 7).

The canopy 50 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally triangular or curved shape (FIG. 7). For example, the canopy 50 may curve downwards toward the leg 32. The canopy 50 may be located at any appropriate position on the attachment feature 36, such as at an end of the post 48. For example, the post 48 may be located and extend between the leg 32 and the canopy 50 (FIG. 7).

There may be one or more tension wings 52, such as two tension wings (FIG. 7). The tension wings 52 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular or square shape. For example, the tension wings 52 may be of a generally planar configuration. The tension wings 52 may be located at any appropriate position on the attachment feature 36, such as at an end of the post 48 located adjacent to the leg 32. For example, tension wings 52 may extend outward and at upwards at an angle from the bottom of the post 48. The tension wings 52 may extend out at any appropriate angle from the leg 32. The molding 160 may be located and secured between the canopy 50 and the tension wings 52 (FIG. 8).

The attachment features 36 may also include an alignment rib 54 (FIGS. 2-4, 12 and 13). The alignment rib 54 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular or triangular shape. The alignment rib 54 may be located at any appropriate position on the attachment feature 36, such as at an end of the attachment feature 36. For example, the alignment rib 54 may be located adjacent to and extend from the post 48.

The attachment features 36 may be located at any appropriate position on the retainer clip 12, such as located adjacent either end of the legs 32 on the retainer clip 12. For example, the attachment features 36 may be positioned away from the opening 38 on either end of the retainer clip 12 (FIGS. 2 and 12). While the molding retainer clip 12 may be shown and described as utilizing two anchor-shaped attachment features 36, it is to be understood that any appropriate shape or number of attachment features 36 may be used to secure a variety of moldings to the channel fastener 10. While the attachment feature 36 may be shown and described as having a certain configuration and being located at a particular position, it is to be understood that the location and configuration of the attachment feature 36 should not be limited to that shown and disclosed herein.

FIGS. 8, 14 and 15 illustrate an example of a channel fastener 10 in use. The channel fastener 10 may be provided with a molding retainer clip 12 and a fastener 14. To secure the fastener 14 to the molding retainer clip 12, the fastener 14 may be snapped into the clamp feature by inserting one end of the fastener 14 beneath the projection 44 and forcing the opposite end of the fastener 14 down to snap into the tab 42. Once snapped into the clamp feature, the fastener 14 may be secured to the molding retainer clip 12, without compromising the ability to selectively position the fastener 14. For example, the fastener 14 may still be slidable cross-car toward either wall 24, 28. The fastener 14 may also be slidable fore-aft toward either wall 26, 30. Therefore, even if the pin 60 is not centered within the ditch 130, the fastener 14 may still be adjusted whereby that the aperture 18 may accommodate the pin 60.

The channel fastener 10 may be secured in the ditch 130 by positioning the channel fastener 10 over the pin 60, such that the pin 60 may extend through the opening 38 and the aperture 18 in the fastener 14 (FIGS. 14 and 15). The legs 32 may secure the channel fastener 10 to the pin 60, whereby the channel fastener 10 may be selectively positioned longitudinally along the length of the ditch 130. The wings 34, substantially abutting the walls 140 and 150, may maintain alignment of the channel fastener 10 within the ditch 130 (FIGS. 14 and 15).

The wings 34 are capable of bending, whereby the wings 34 may allow for the channel fastener 10 to be used in a ditch 130 having varying widths. When the channel fastener 10 is inserted into a narrower section of a ditch 130 or when the channel fastener 10 may be subjected to expansion and contraction forces from the panels 110, 120 and/or molding 160, the wings 34 may bend to prevent damage or misalignment of the fastener 10. Next, the molding 160 may be secured to the channel fastener 10 via the attachment feature 36, thereby effectively sealing the joint 100 (FIG. 8).

Accordingly, the channel fastener 10 may allow for longitudinal movement, as well as lateral positioning, during installation. Lateral movement of the fastener 14 relative to the ditch 130 may enable the channel fastener 10 to be secured to a variety of cross-car pin 60 locations. Such cross-car capability may also maintain proper positioning of the attachment feature 36 and the molding 160 in the ditch 130.

The construction material for the molding retainer clip 12 and wings 34 may allow the channel fastener 10 to withstand forces caused by the expansion and contraction of the roofing panels 110, 120 and the molding 160. Additionally, the wings 34 may provide for proper alignment of the channel fastener 10 and allow the channel fastener 10 to be employed in a variety of ditch 130 widths, thereby allowing for the use of a common channel fastener 10 along the entire length of the ditch 130.

Although the embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to merely the embodiments disclosed but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. 

1. A channel fastener for securing molding to a vehicle roof ditch, said channel fastener comprising: a retainer clip comprising: a body having an opening capable of receiving a pin; at least one attachment feature located on an end of said body; a clamp feature located on either side of said opening; a fastener having an aperture capable of receiving the pin, wherein said fastener is capable of being slidably secured within said body via said clamp feature.
 2. The channel fastener of claim 1, wherein said opening and said aperture are shaped to allow for adjustment of said channel fastener in the roof ditch about the pin.
 3. The channel fastener of claim 2, wherein said fastener is capable of sliding laterally from a center of said retainer clip toward either wall of the roof ditch.
 4. The channel fastener of claim 2, wherein said fastener is capable of sliding longitudinally from a center of said retainer clip toward either wall of the roof ditch.
 5. The channel fastener of claim 1, wherein said clamp feature includes a tab and a projection.
 6. The channel fastener of claim 1, wherein said wings align said channel fastener within the roof ditch.
 7. The channel fastener of claim 1, wherein said attachment feature secures the molding to said channel fastener.
 8. The channel fastener of claim 7, wherein said attachment feature includes a post, a canopy, and at least one tension wing.
 9. The clamp fastener of claim 1 further including at least one structural member.
 10. The channel fastener of claim 1, wherein said fastener is a pushnut.
 11. A channel fastener for securing molding to a vehicle roof ditch, said channel fastener comprising: a body having an opening capable of receiving a pin; at least one attachment feature located on an end of said body; a clamp feature located on either side of said opening; at least one wing extending from said body, wherein said wing is capable of centering said channel fastener within the roof ditch; and a fastener having an aperture, wherein said fastener is capable of being secured within said body.
 12. The channel fastener of claim 11, wherein said channel fastener includes a pair of wings.
 13. The channel fastener of claim 11, wherein said at least one wing is flexible to allow said channel fastener to be used in a roof ditch having varying widths.
 14. The channel fastener of claim 11, wherein said at least one wing extends laterally from said body to prevent misalignment of said channel fastener in the roof ditch.
 15. The channel fastener of claim 11, wherein said at least one wing is flexible to withstand any expansion and contraction of the roof ditch and the molding.
 16. A channel fastener for securing molding to a vehicle roof ditch, said channel fastener comprising: a body having an opening capable of receiving a pin; at least one attachment feature located on an end of said body, said attachment feature comprising: a post extending outward from said body; a canopy located on an end of said post; and at least one tension wing located at an opposite end of said post; a clamp feature located on either side of said opening; a fastener having an aperture, wherein said fastener is capable of being secured within said body.
 17. The channel fastener of claim 16, wherein said attachment feature includes a pair of tension wings.
 18. The channel fastener of claim 16, wherein the molding is secured between said canopy and said at least one tension wing.
 19. The channel fastener of claim 18, wherein said opening and said aperture are shaped to allow for adjustment of said channel fastener in the roof ditch about the pin.
 20. The channel fastener of claim 18, wherein said channel fastener is capable of longitudinal and lateral movement during installation. 